This Creamy Ranch Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender, seared chicken breasts with a rich, velvety sauce infused with tangy ranch seasoning. The sauce, made with cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, and a hint of onion powder, wraps around the chicken like a warm hug, making it perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes or baked potatoes. Serve it with your favorite steamed vegetables for a delicious and satisfying meal that’s sure to become a new family favorite!
I love making this dish on busy weeknights because it’s quick, easy, and delivers big on flavor. The creamy ranch sauce is irresistibly good, and the chicken stays juicy and tender, thanks to the initial sear. Ready to make a dinner that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Minimal prep and simple ingredients make this dish perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family-Friendly: The creamy, tangy sauce is a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults.
- One-Pan Wonder: The entire dish comes together in one skillet, making clean-up a breeze.
- Perfect Comfort Food: Serve it over mashed potatoes or baked potatoes for a cozy, comforting meal.
Key Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Sliced thin for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds a hint of earthy flavor to the chicken.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Butter and Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken to a golden-brown perfection.
For the Creamy Ranch Sauce:
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Forms the base of the sauce, adding creaminess and savory depth.
- Milk: Thins out the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Sour Cream: Adds a tangy note that balances the richness of the sauce.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: The star of the sauce, infusing it with classic ranch flavor.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
How to Make Creamy Ranch Chicken
1. Prepare and Sear the Chicken
Start by slicing each boneless, skinless chicken breast into 2-3 thinner slices, about ½ inch thick. This helps the chicken cook more evenly and quickly. Season both sides of each chicken slice with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Brush one side of each piece with melted butter. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken slices, buttered side down, and sear for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the seared chicken to a plate and set aside.
Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the chicken—if needed, sear in batches to ensure even browning and a nice crust.
2. Make the Creamy Ranch Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and Ranch seasoning mix. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth.
Let the sauce come to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to low. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and all the flavors meld together.
Pro Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to thicken up.
3. Return the Chicken to the Skillet
Return the seared chicken slices to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over each piece to ensure they’re fully coated. Cover the skillet partially with a lid and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to heat through.
4. Serve
Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve the creamy ranch chicken with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or your favorite vegetables. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken and sides for maximum flavor!
Tips for Success
- Slice the Chicken Evenly: Slicing each chicken breast into thinner pieces helps the chicken cook evenly and absorb more flavor.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Sear the chicken in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent the chicken from browning properly.
- Adjust the Sauce Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions
This Creamy Ranch Chicken pairs perfectly with a variety of sides. Here are a few ideas to complete your meal:
- Mashed Potatoes: Spoon the chicken and sauce over creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting dinner.
- Baked Potatoes: Serve over baked potatoes for a hearty and filling option.
- Steamed Vegetables: Pair with steamed broccoli, green beans, or carrots for a balanced meal.
- Rice: Spoon the chicken and sauce over fluffy white or brown rice for a delicious combination.
- Crusty Bread: Enjoy with crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up every last bit of the creamy sauce.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen it up.
Variations and Modifications
- Add Vegetables: Stir in some steamed broccoli or sautéed mushrooms to the sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Spicier Sauce: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Herb-Flavored: Mix in some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a fresh, herby twist.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut milk or a dairy-free cream substitute instead of milk and sour cream for a lighter, dairy-free sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Ranch Chicken is a quick and easy recipe that delivers big on flavor and comfort. The juicy, seared chicken paired with the rich and creamy ranch sauce is a match made in heaven. Serve it for a cozy family dinner or a weeknight meal, and you’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
Enjoy every creamy, ranch-flavored bite! 🍗❤️
Ranch Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 2 tbsp olive oil or substitute vegetable or canola oil
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup sour cream at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 oz Ranch seasoning mix about 3 tablespoons
Instructions
- Slice each boneless, skinless chicken breast into 2-3 thinner slices, about ½ inch thick. Use a meat tenderizer to pound the slices to an even thickness if needed. Season each side of the chicken slices with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Brush one side of each piece with melted butter. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken slices to the skillet, buttered side down.
- Sauté for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until a golden-brown crust has formed. Transfer the seared chicken to a plate and set aside. Repeat with remaining chicken slices, adding more oil if needed.
- In the same skillet, remove any excess oil, leaving behind about 1 tablespoon. Reduce heat to medium and add the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, and Ranch seasoning mix.
- Whisk until everything is well combined and smooth. Let the sauce come to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to low. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the seared chicken slices to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Spoon some sauce over each piece to ensure they’re fully coated. Partially cover with a lid and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon the creamy ranch sauce over the chicken and serve with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or steamed vegetables.